Why would a believer not get baptized?

FireDragon76

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Yes, I agree. But I know quite a few who would disagree because the Christening is done without the person's consent, so is not an active welcoming in of the Holy Spirit.

Why can't a baby welcome God? God took on human flesh as a baby. The fact there isn't apparent intellectual assent is irrelevant, since a person is not primarily an intellect, but an embodied consciousness or subjectivity.

Yes, again. My current church does this. In my parents' church it was a "proper" Christening though, and they didn't do adult baptisms.

All churches that baptize infants will also do adult baptisms, provided the person is otherwise unbaptized.
 
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Dave-W

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When we read it, it is scripture....when we interpret it, it becomes Man's wisdom....
I read it and there is a baptism spoken of in each of those scriptures. I am listing them.

Again - is making a list "Man's wisdom? "
 
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FireDragon76

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I have never been "baptized", though I was "christened" as a baby. This was entirely normal procedure for my family's church. The church I attend now does baptize adults, but I have never felt the need, and there has never been any pressure to.

Christening is a colloquial term for baptism. My grandparents used that term alot, as did my mom (all Methodists). Nowdays it is used to refer more to the anointing of oil, which is a step after baptism that many churches do, equivalent to laying on of hands. The Orthodox call this "chrismation".

So, you have been baptized.
 
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RaymondG

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"Milk" is defined in scripture: Hebrews 6.1-3.
so you agree we are discussing milk here correct? and that we need to move to meat eventually right?

And that our knowledge of milk doesnt necessarily qualify us for teaching spiritual matters:?
"For every one that useth milk is unskilful in the word of righteousness: for he is a babe."
 
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FireDragon76

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If the church happens to be one that opposes the baptism of infants, there is often a ceremony that is called a Dedication which is not a sacrament or substitute for Baptism. Of course, I don't know for certain what the case was in the church of your youth.

Some pietist churches like the Evangelical Covenant Church offer both, leaving it ultimately up to the family to decide, and without making judgments on the baptism of others.
 
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Dave-W

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so you agree we are discussing milk here correct?
Teaching about ALL of the baptisms is definitely milk. (so is instruction in faith, repentance, laying on of hands, resurrection of the dead and eternal judgement)

"For every one that useth milk is unskilful in the word of righteousness: for he is a babe."
ONLY milk. You need to have the milk down before you move on. (Heb 6.3) Then you can start to teach things beyond the milk.

In my experience, very few people get the milk right.
 
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RaymondG

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I read it and there is a baptism spoken of in each of those scriptures. I am listing them.

Again - is making a list "Man's wisdom? "

What if I said that I see 14 Baptisms, making your exclamation that their are 7, false? What if God reveals to all what they are ready and able to see. What if the truth is only true when experienced, yet when discussed, becomes false because of the process of reasoning and interpreting?
 
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Dave-W

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Some pietist churches like the Evangelical Covenant Church offer both, leaving it ultimately up to the family to decide, and without making judgments on the baptism of others.
Almost every denomination that routinely practices infant baptism will (if pressed) also do adult baptisms. After all, adults come to faith also. My rabbi/pastor came to faith at age 41. Was he not supposed to get baptized?
 
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RaymondG

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Teaching about ALL of the baptisms is definitely milk. (so is instruction in faith, repentance, laying on of hands, resurrection of the dead and eternal judgement)


ONLY milk. You need to have the milk down before you move on. (Heb 6.3) Then you can start to teach things beyond the milk.

In my experience, very few people get the milk right.
I agree, and very few actually get pass Milk. Very few are able to receive it and bear it....

"I have fed you with milk, and not with meat: for hitherto ye were not able to bear it, neither yet now are ye able."

But yes it is very important. and you will choke if you move on before you are ready..... And I have experienced this choking....
 
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Andy centek

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TO ALL:
The topic is water baptism.The answers are many it seems.

It strikes this one very disappointing that so many have such a hard time understanding what the scriptures say about water baptism.
Scriptures are very clear concerning this subject; at least to those in Christ Jesus, The Elect of God.

Jesus said that He appointed the apostle Paul to be the apostle TO THE GENTILES; to carry His message of spiritual salvation to THEM. Consider what Jesus told His disciples before He appointed Paul to be the apostle to the Gentile world.
Mat_10:5 These twelve Jesus sent forth, and commanded them, saying, Go not into the way of the Gentiles, and into any city of the Samaritans enter You not:
Now why did Jesus forbid Them not to go to the Gentiles with Their message? Because Their message was for the Jews only, not the Gentiles!
1Co 1:12-16 Now this I say, that every one of you say, I am of Paul; and I of Apollos; and I of Cephas; and I of Christ. Is Christ divided? was Paul crucified for you? or were ye baptized in the name of Paul? I thank God that I baptized none of you, but Crispus and Gaius; Lest any should say that I had baptized in mine own name. And I baptized also the household of Stephanas: besides, I know not whether I baptized any other.

Now if Paul did not go about water baptizing the converts to Christ Jesus, then why do men today seek to do it? Why, because it puts Them in control! Woe to that.
Does one become an Elect of God by water or by Christ Jesus? Of course, only through Christ Jesus and the Spirit of God,not by men dipping others in water.

This will not set well with the majority of today's Denominational teachings, but it didn't set well with the Jews either. What, Gentiles being save through Jesus Christ!

Andy Centek
 
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Dave-W

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What if I said that I see 14 Baptisms, making your exclamation that their are 7, false?
That does not make it false. 7 that I have found. There may be more.

I would be very interested to see your list (with scriptures).
What if the truth is only true when experienced, yet when discussed, becomes false because of the process of reasoning and interpreting?
There are filters in place to discern true and false revelations. The same goes for "reasoning and interpreting."
 
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FireDragon76

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Almost every denomination that routinely practices infant baptism will (if pressed) also do adult baptisms. After all, adults come to faith also. My rabbi/pastor came to faith at age 41. Was he not supposed to get baptized?

I was thinking more of the fact some churches offer both infant dedication or infant baptism. The Pietist tradition of Scandinavia in particular took this approach.
 
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Dave-W

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TO ALL:
The topic is water baptism.
Correct. Christian water baptism is a funeral/burial of the old adamic nature which is killed at new birth. Paul is clear about that. There is a definite spiritual transaction that occurs. It is not just a symbolic act but has consequences in the spiritual realm.

ETA: I guess I should make 2 points on that:

1 - you do not bury something until AFTER it is dead.
2 - New Birth is not the only spiritual transaction that happens.
 
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Jon Osterman

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Almost every denomination that routinely practices infant baptism will (if pressed) also do adult baptisms. After all, adults come to faith also. My rabbi/pastor came to faith at age 41. Was he not supposed to get baptized?

As far as I am aware, my childhood church never did adult baptisms. It is possible that they would have of course, and just never had the opportunity.
 
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eleos1954

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I've seen the question here time and again asking if baptism is necessary for salvation.

Aside from that, why would someone not want to get baptized?

When I accepted Jesus, I was not attending a organized church and had not had much exposure to christianity. I was compelled by the Holy Spirit to get baptized big time. I went to several churches and all of them said I would need to be a member of their church to get baptized. I did finally find one that didn't have that requirement. If I had not found one .... I might not have gotten baptized, I'm not sure, but really, probably not, I would have sought someone else out ... but it could be a reason for someone not to want to ... or perhaps put it off for quite a while. I was accepting Jesus as my savior, not applying for church membership.

Besides that Jesus didn't get baptized in a "church"

I couldn't believe it .... here I was having this powerful experience and I knew it was real and ... all I got was ... no sorry ... have to be a member ???

God Bless.
 
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Dan the deacon

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When I accepted Jesus, I was not attending a organized church and had not had much exposure to christianity. I was compelled by the Holy Spirit to get baptized big time. I went to several churches and all of them said I would need to be a member of their church to get baptized. I did finally find one that didn't have that requirement. If I had not found one .... I might not have gotten baptized, I'm not sure, but really, probably not, I would have sought someone else out ... but it could be a reason for someone not to want to ... or perhaps put it off for quite a while. I was accepting Jesus as my savior, not applying for church membership.

Besides that Jesus didn't get baptized in a "church"

I couldn't believe it .... here I was having this powerful experience and I knew it was real and ... all I got was ... no sorry ... have to be a member ???

God Bless.
Odd. How can one join a Church prior to baptism? Baptism does not make you a part of a denomination. It makes you a part of the Church. There is a reason some groups do not accept baptisms of other groups. It is not about denominations bit about what they include and negate in the baptism.
My Church usually does not accept outside baptisms but we do not claim they are invalid. We simply baptize and then we know it is valid.
 
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eleos1954

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Odd. How can one join a Church prior to baptism? Baptism does not make you a part of a denomination. It makes you a part of the Church. There is a reason some groups do not accept baptisms of other groups. It is not about denominations bit about what they include and negate in the baptism.
My Church usually does not accept outside baptisms but we do not claim they are invalid. We simply baptize and then we know it is valid.

"My Church usually does not accept outside baptisms" .... why not?
 
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Dan the deacon

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"My Church usually does not accept outside baptisms" .... why not?
Because we do not know how it was done. If a group believes it is "just a sign to other believers", we would not see it as valid. It is a sacrament. We make no claim as to who is not of the Church but we also make no claim to who is outside of our Church.
 
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